12 people injured in clash during Jajpur pala event

Kendrapada: Twelve people were injured after a dispute escalated into a violent clash between two groups at Kasaba village under Mangalpur police station limits in Jajpur district on Monday night. The injured were taken to community health centre at Mangalpur.The clash broke between two groups from Bautra Sahi and Jia Sahi of the village during the concluding night of a three-day pala event organised at the Kasaba Pala Mandap. Supporters of both groups pelted stones and bricks at each other resulting in injuries to many people. “Following the incident, the pala was halted midway. The exact cause of the hostility between them is being investigated,” said IIC, Mangalpur police station, Ranjan Kumar Behera.The situation was brought under control as soon as police reached the spot. Security has been tightened at Kasaba and its nearby areas. A platoon of police has been deployed in the area, said Behera.Both sides blamed each other for the incident. “Every year, villagers organise pala competition and invite singers to perform in the village. It is unfortunate that some miscreants abused some singers for which both groups clashed with each other,” said Rajendra Behera, a villager. Tensions escalated following an argument triggered by objectionable comments, which quickly turned into a physical confrontation.